North Dakota hunters will see keener competition this year for those premium elk licenses, a few more coveted moose licenses but an equal number of envied bighorn sheep licenses as last year.

At least that's how the numbers shake out in the state Game and Fish Department's proposed 2004 elk, moose and bighorn sheep proclamation that's awaiting Gov. John Hoeven's review and signature.

The northeast portion of the state, which has seen increased elk harvests in recent years, is the target for the reduced number of tags, 20.

Moose license numbers will see an overall increase of six tags, although there is some shuffling of license availability among units.

Bighorn sheep licenses will see a shift in unit availability, but the bottom line will be the same: three in the lottery and one to be auctioned.

Because license availability is so limited, the fortunate few who are drawn for any of the species are barred from applying for that species again. It's called the "hunt of a lifetime" for good reason.

Approximately 12,000 hunters will apply for the 135 available moose licenses. Another 12,000 sportsmen will seek one of the 201 elk licenses.

And for bighorn sheep, approximately 10,000 hopefuls will be going after the three lottery licenses.

The application deadline is March 17.

The reduction in the number of elk licenses is part of the continuing balancing act between a species and its habitat.

A few years ago, elk numbers in northeastern North Dakota were higher than landowners, sportsmen and biologists were comfortable with, and the department increased the number of licenses.

"It had the desired effect of reducing the population," said Randy Kreil, the chief of the wildlife division for the department. Now licenses numbers reflect more normal times.

A second hunting period, also implemented to knock back the herd, will go away, too.

Although the bighorn sheep unit north of Interstate 94 will see one fewer license - down to two tags from last year's three - one license is proposed for south of the interstate.

The south unit had been closed to bighorn hunting since 1999 after a die-off of sheep. Except for areas around Bullion Butte and Kendley Plateau, a one ram season will be reopened. The areas that are closed are to protect sheep transplanted from Oregon.

Toss in the tag raffled by the Minnesota-Wisconsin Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, and the total licenses available stays at four.

Rosy moose populations in most of the state accounted for the increase in licenses. But a disease problem in the Turtle Mountains moose population will cut the number of licenses available in that unit.

Lucky lottery winners usually get their sheep and moose. Success rates are 80 percent or better, Kreil said.

Elk hunters buck much longer odds, "40 to 50 percent in a good year," Kreil said. Typical elk habitat often makes approaching the animals difficult. And spooking elk can send them running for miles.

"A lot of people who get elk licenses are not aware of what it takes in terms of work and effort and luck to be successful," Kreil said.

(Reach reporter Richard Hinton at 250-8256 or outdoors@bismarcktribune.net.)